The 34-year-old defender told pals he was stunned to receive the news in a message rather than face-to-face from a senior club official.

Collins, who has given 11 years to West Ham over two spells, the second of which lasted six years, had asked boss David Moyes about his future before the end of the season.

But Moyes was unable to give him any assurances as he did not know whether or not he would be staying at the end of his own short-term contract.

In the end, Moyes was let go and the club took decided to take the same option with Collins.

James Collins was released by West Ham via an email (Image: REUTERS)

The 34-year-old defender told pals he was stunned to receive the news in a message rather than face-to-face (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

The Welshman was given the news by email last week, days before yesterday’s deadline for Premier League clubs to submit their retained list of players to the flight, and is now free to find another club, which he intends to do.

The Hammers insist club legend ‘Ginge’ knew he wouldn’t be getting a new deal and that the memo was just written confirmation.

Collins joined West Ham from Cardiff in 2005 and was sold to Aston Villa for £5million four years later.

He returned to the East End in 2012 for half that amount.

West Ham hope to announce Moyes’s replacement by the middle of this week at the latest.

Rafa Benitez was the Hammers’ No.1 target but getting him out of Newcastle looks difficult.

The Hammers insist club legend ‘Ginge’ knew he wouldn’t be getting a new deal and that the memo was just written confirmation (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Collins joined West Ham from Cardiff in 2005 and was sold to Aston Villa for £5million four years later (Image: Splash News)

Manuel Pellegrini is in the frame for the vacant West Ham job (Image: AFP)

Paolo Fonseca has also spoken to the club but has now agreed a new deal with Shakhtar Donetsk.

That leaves Manuel Pellegrini, the former Manchester City manager, as favourite for the post vacated by Moyes.